Michelle Mulherin (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I agree that there has been much scaremongering about rural Ireland. That includes dramatic claims that the change in the pupil-teacher ratio for small schools is based on a wish to shut them down and, further - even more extravagantly - that it is an attempt at social engineering on the part of the Minister. With all the furore that has taken place in the past year one might be forgiven for thinking the future of small schools is only now being challenged. It is not the case that this is a recent phenomenon. From 1962 to 1979 the number of one and two-teacher schools declined by 2,000 from 3,194 to 1,168. As Deputy Deering indicated, in the past 11 years 52 schools closed because they could not meet the minimum enrolment requirement of eight pupils.

One could ask what is happening in rural Ireland. In recent years many rural areas have seen more investment in amenities and services than they did for many decades previously. I refer to the rural development programme – Leader, the local community development programme operated by Pobal and the local partnership companies. That is not to mention county councils that are involved in enhancing rural areas. One could also say that many small schools have never had as many good facilities. Notwithstanding that, pupil numbers are declining and that is the difficulty that arises. That is the cause of the decline of rural Ireland. Many people are migrating to urban centres from rural areas for work. Farming is on an upward trajectory and we are pursuing the green economy, seeking investment in renewable energy and also tourism but it is a fact of life that the population decline in rural areas will continue.

Much of the argument on small schools suggests that they are being discriminated against but that completely ignores the pressures on larger schools that cater for larger classes and invariably a greater diversity of social background and needs. Therefore, the suggestion that larger schools are more favoured is simply not true. I have both types of schools in the rural constituency I come from and the truth is that each type has pressures and challenges.

Politicians who feed fear among citizens and make arguments on a basis that totally ignores the financial reality of where the country is at are fooling people.

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